Beer brewing companies produce two different types of beer: lagers and ales. The main difference between a lager and ale is not related to the alcohol content. Rather, it lies in the brewing process and ingredients. As a result, a lager typically tastes milder than it's more stout and bitter-tasting counterpart.
Extra hops, malts, and roasted malts add to the ale's more robust taste. For your beer business, it's imperative to understand your customers' preferences and keep your shelves stocked with fast moving sellers.
The choices in beer brands are vast. The beer industry offers your business profits from domestic and imported products. Domestic beer distributors sell wide selections of ales and lagers.
Beer importers give your store access to specialty beers that have a loyal customer base as well. When you purchase beer for resale, consider the following:
1. Choose beer with a recent brewing date to maintain optimum freshness.
2. Acquire a wide variety of lagers and ales, domestic and imports and bottles and cans in various quantities
3. Set up your own brewpub or work with microbreweries.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Find local beer distributors
Beer wholesalers work with distributors to get the beer to you. Locate beer distributors in your specific geographic area. Use distributors for domestic and imported beers.
I recommend: Purchase popular domestic beers such as Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Light and Coors Beers. Include a selection of popular imports such as Guinness, Bass, Dos Equis and Heineken Beers. Find a distributor in your area through
Micro Matic Inc., or the
National Beer Wholesalers Association.
Attend a beer industry trade show or convention
Give your business the competitive edge by learning the "ins and outs" of the beer industry.
I recommend: Meet with other beer wholesalers, retailers and distributors and make important networking connections that can improve your business. Register for a trade show at the
National Restaurant Association or the
National Beer Wholesalers Association.
BeerFestivals.org has a monthly list of international and stateside beer festivals.
Brew your own beer or work with microbreweries
Microbreweries and brewpubs have become extremely popular as beer patrons search for a new beer to satisfy their quest for the perfect brew.
I recommend: Purchase everything you need to brew your own beer and set up a brewpub from the
The Beer Info Source and
Specialty Products International.
BrewPubZone has a complete list of microbreweries and brewpubs offering many varieties of home brew.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Strategic product placement and smart visual merchandising play an important role in your beer sales. Cold beer typically sells much faster than non-refrigerated beer. Use your cooler space as efficiently as possible.
- Keep in mind that beer sales typically spike around holidays, especially during the summer months. Offer special promotions to boost your beer sales during non-peak times.
The official source of Beer is the Beer page at Business.com
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